In a recent CanadianSME feature, Fahad Jilani, founder of Jilani Place, offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a coworking space that’s more than just desks and Wi-Fi. For those familiar with the vibrant energy inside Jilani Place, the interview is a clear reflection of its founder's belief: coworking is at its best when it’s rooted in community, purpose, and a commitment to lifting others up.

At a time when flexible work is reshaping how we think about space and connection, the success of small, locally grown businesses like Jilani Place is more than just inspiring — it's essential.

Built for Community, Not Just Convenience

Coworking spaces have exploded in popularity over the past decade, but many fall into the trap of offering generic, transactional environments. Jilani Place was designed to do the opposite. As Fahad explained in the CanadianSME interview, the goal was to create a space that feels like it belongs to the people who use it.

From the beginning, Jilani Place was envisioned as a space that champions independence, creativity, and community. Whether you're an early-stage entrepreneur, a remote worker, or a small business with a growing team, Jilani Place offers the kind of human-centered environment that fosters productivity and connection without feeling corporate or cold.

This emphasis on culture and comfort is what sets it apart — and why it resonates so strongly with people seeking meaningful work environments.

Why Supporting Small Business Spaces Matters

Spaces like Jilani Place are part of a much bigger picture.

Small- and medium-sized businesses make up over 98% of all businesses in Canada and employ over two-thirds of the private labor force. But for many small business owners, especially in the early stages, access to quality infrastructure, mentorship, and community support is limited.

That’s where coworking spaces — particularly those founded and operated by entrepreneurs themselves — play a critical role. They serve as launchpads for other businesses, offering not just a physical space but also the intangible support that comes from being surrounded by like-minded peers.

When you support a small coworking space, you’re supporting a network of other small businesses — freelancers, consultants, creators, nonprofit founders, and startups. It’s an ecosystem that feeds into itself.

Turning Vision Into Value

What’s clear in Fahad’s interview is that Jilani Place isn’t the product of venture capital or trend-chasing. It’s the result of a lived experience: an entrepreneur recognizing a gap and committing to fill it thoughtfully.

Jilani Place reflects the values of its founder — intentional design, an eye for quality, and a deep respect for the people it serves. That care shows up in the amenities, the programming, and in the café tucked inside the space, which itself champions small-batch, high-quality food and coffee.

This kind of founder-led vision is critical. It allows small businesses like Jilani Place to remain lively, responsive, and aligned with their community’s needs — whether that’s through offering flexible workspace options, hosting small business events, or simply being a place where people genuinely want to spend their day.

Creating Space for Growth — Literally and Figuratively

In the post-pandemic work world, many companies have downsized their offices or gone fully remote, but workers are still craving structure and connection. Jilani Place answers that call, providing not only a professional space to work but a place to belong.

Hybrid teams use it as a hub. Solo founders come for the routine. Creatives find inspiration in its warm, thoughtfully curated environment. And beyond the space itself, the growing Jilani Place community helps people find collaborators, clients, and even friends.

As Fahad points out in his interview, people aren’t just looking for a desk anymore — they’re looking for meaning. Jilani Place delivers on that.

Raising Up Small Business, One Space at a Time

At the heart of all this is a bigger message: Jilani Place is more than just a coworking space — it’s a small business that exists to support other small businesses. Its success is a reminder that when we prioritize people, purpose, and community, we all rise together.

When we invest in these spaces, we're investing in the kind of economy we want to see: one that values people, champions community, and creates opportunity from the ground up. Jilani Place is a reminder that small doesn’t mean small-minded — it means focused, human, and local.

If you haven’t already, check out the full CanadianSME article to hear more from Fahad Jilani himself. It’s an engaging read for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship, coworking, or the future of work in Canada:
Read the full interview here.